15 Summer Criminal Justice Internships for Undergraduates

Ever wondered what it’s really like to step inside a courtroom, assist investigators, or contribute to federal law enforcement work? Summer internships in criminal justice give you the chance to move beyond textbooks and experience the field in action. As an undergraduate, they help you sharpen professional skills, build a stronger resume, and connect with mentors who can guide your career path. 

Offered by reputable institutions across the U.S., these programs are known for their prestige, the rigor of professional experience they demand, and the opportunities to network with experts in law, policy, and enforcement.  These internships help you connect your academic studies with the responsibilities of criminal justice.

To help you find the right fit, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 summer criminal justice internships for undergraduates.

1. Ladder University Internship Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by  program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Eligibility: Open to undergraduates, gap-year students, and high school students (grades 9–12); undergrads require a commitment of 10–20 hours/week over an 8–12 week duration.

Through Ladder Internships, you can work with a fast-growing start-up for about eight weeks, gaining hands-on experience in areas like technology, health, consulting, or journalism. While the program primarily focuses on start-up culture, you may find opportunities that connect to criminal justice through fields like legal tech, investigative journalism, or public policy. You’ll collaborate directly with managers and receive mentorship from a Ladder Coach while contributing to real projects that the company uses. At the end, you’ll present your work to the company, building both professional and communication skills.

2. Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Internship Program

Location: Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Paid based on education level

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: May–August, lasts for a duration of 10 weeks

Application deadline: Varies by position, check the website and USAJOBS

Eligibility: Current degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students at U.S.-accredited institutions who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, meet residency requirements, and can obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Internship Program allows undergraduates to contribute to intelligence and homeland security work in Washington, D.C. This paid internship places students in functional areas like counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security, and organized crime analysis. Depending on placement, you could work on intelligence reports, assist with open-source collection, or support partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies. Interns are hired as federal employees with pay determined by education level, and rotations across different parts of the office are possible. In addition to analysis, some positions involve policy development, program management, or data visualization. You may also have the chance to visit other DHS and partner offices during your time there. This program is one of the summer criminal justice internships for undergraduates, offering hands-on experience in federal law enforcement, investigative work, and public safety operations.

3. ACLU Internships

Location: Remote or hybrid at ACLU affiliate offices across the U.S.

Stipend: Paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Available year-round

Application deadline: Varies by session

Eligibility: Undergraduates and recent graduates, depending on the role

ACLU offers paid internships across departments such as legal, communications, advocacy, technology, and operations. As an undergraduate intern, you can take part in ongoing projects that focus on civil rights and liberties, including areas tied to criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, and privacy protections. The internships typically run for 10 weeks full-time or 12 weeks part-time, with stipends provided unless you are receiving academic credit. Depending on your placement, you may help with administrative or policy support for legal teams, help draft communications, contribute to advocacy campaigns, or support technical projects. In addition to daily work, you may also participate in trainings and learning sessions with ACLU staff. 

4. U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York (SDNY)  – Undergraduate Internships

Location: New York

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohort

Dates: 8 weeks from June to August

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are U.S. students

As an intern with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, you’ll gain direct exposure to the operations of a major federal prosecution office. This program is one of the summer criminal justice internships for undergraduates, giving you experience in drafting subpoenas, redacting and organizing case documents, transcribing calls, conducting factual research, and assisting with discovery preparation. Selected interns are placed in divisions such as Criminal, Civil, or support units like the Victim Witness Unit or Electronic Evidence Unit, depending on needs and interests. You will also have opportunities to observe witness interviews, attend hearings, and sit in on trials in Manhattan or the White Plains office. Along with daily tasks, interns participate in informal educational sessions where attorneys discuss their work.

5. Manhattan District Attorney’s Office – College Internship

Location: New York County/Manhattan

Stipend: $560 per week 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort

Dates: 9 weeks starting the first Monday of June

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Current college sophomores and juniors( applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of college by the time the internship commences)

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office internship allows you to observe how local prosecutors handle a wide range of cases in one of the busiest jurisdictions in the country. You might assist in preparing cases for trial, support victim services, analyze legislation, or conduct research to strengthen prosecutions, depending on placement. Many interns sit in on witness interviews, attend court proceedings, and help prepare documents or evidence for hearings. The program also integrates structured educational experiences, such as lectures from senior staff, informal discussions, and even mock appellate arguments to build skills. Assignments are shaped both by your background and the office’s current needs, so your work may range from reviewing financial records in fraud cases to observing community outreach programs. 

6. FLETC College Intern Program

Location: FLETC campuses (Glynco, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Artesia, New Mexico; Washington, D.C.)

Stipend: Unpaid; course credit may be offered

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed

Dates: 8 weeks in the summer

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in legal careers

The FLETC College Intern Program places you in a federal training environment where law enforcement officers from across the country are prepared for service. This eight-week internship is divided between project work and auditing training courses. Your focus may be on law enforcement functions, assisting with training operations and mission support, or on non-law enforcement projects like policy, business support, or IT systems. Regardless of placement, half your time will be spent observing courses in subjects such as investigative techniques, defensive tactics, or cybercrime training. Every intern is assigned a mentor who guides both the project work and professional development, offering networking opportunities within federal law enforcement. 

7. Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia – Criminal Law Internship Program (CLIP)

Location: Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: May 5–July 25 |  May 19–August 8 | June 2–August 22 | June 16–September 5

Application deadline: February 1

Eligibility: College undergraduates

Through the Criminal Law Internship Program at the Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C., you’ll work closely with defense attorneys on the investigative side of criminal cases. This program is an immersive summer criminal justice internship for undergraduates, giving you responsibilities beyond clerical work, such as interviewing clients and witnesses, gathering detailed statements, conducting background checks, serving subpoenas, and even testifying in court when needed. You may also visit clients in jail, photograph and diagram crime scenes, and prepare exhibits for trial. Alongside hands-on assignments, you’ll receive structured training in investigative skills like statement writing and interviewing. The program also incorporates court observations, lectures, and office events.

8. Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Internship Program

Location: Georgia (GBI offices)

Stipend: Unpaid (for-credit or volunteer) 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 8 weeks in the summer 

Application deadline: Check website for updated info

Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age, full-time college juniors or above, in good academic standing, and recommended by their institution

The GBI Internship Program allows juniors, seniors, and graduate students an opportunity to work inside Georgia’s statewide investigative agency for an academic term. You get to assist in forensic science labs, criminal investigation divisions, or administrative units. Common assignments include handling evidence, reviewing case files, supporting forensic analysis, or contributing to program management. Interns are expected to complete evaluations at the end of the term, so you’ll also reflect on what you’ve learned and provide feedback to the agency and your university. Internships align closely with academic programs, and most students use the experience for course credit. 

9. FBI – Honors Internship Program

Location: Nationwide (FBI field offices and headquarters)

Stipend: Paid (exact stipend varies by year and location)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive

Dates: June–August

Application deadline: Varies yearly

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full-time at a U.S.-accredited college or university (undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral), maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and successfully pass the FBI background investigation to obtain a Top Secret clearance..

The FBI Honors Internship Program is a paid summer criminal justice internship for undergraduates, graduate students, and those in law-related programs who want to gain exposure to federal investigative and intelligence work. As an intern, you may be placed in a field office or division and assigned tasks such as analyzing data, conducting research, writing reports, or supporting ongoing investigations. These projects can involve areas like counterterrorism, organized crime, or cybercrime, depending on placement. You will also receive training on FBI procedures, ethics, and tools, all while working under the guidance of agents and analysts. Because the FBI has strict security standards, you must complete vetting before being accepted, and confidentiality is central to the work. Many students use this internship as a pathway to entry-level positions at the Bureau.

10. U.S. Marshals Service Student Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP)

Location: Headquarters (Arlington, VA) and numerous District/Field offices nationwide

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Available year-round; lasts one semester, lasts for a maximum duration of 6 months

Application deadline: Varies by position

Eligibility: U.S. citizens in good academic standing who are at least 18 years old

The U.S. Marshals Service Student Volunteer Internship Program is an unpaid internship where undergraduates can support administrative and, in limited ways, assist investigative teams in district offices or headquarters. You may be assigned tasks such as data entry, research, helping coordinate witness or victim services, or assisting with the logistics of prisoner transport and fugitive tracking in non-sensitive and non-operational roles. The experience offers an inside view of how the Marshals Service operates in areas like judicial protection, fugitive apprehension, and witness security. Because tasks can vary by office, your day-to-day experience depends on your placement and clearance level. 

11. FIU Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship Program

Location: Florida International University, placements nationwide

Stipend: Typically unpaid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Determined by placement availability

Dates: Summer arrangement possible (based on academic semester/term)

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Undergraduates with a minimum 2.0 GPA

At Florida International University, the Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship Program allows you to design an internship that fits your academic goals and career interests. With faculty approval, you can secure placements at police departments, courts, public defenders’ offices, correctional institutions, or nonprofit organizations involved in justice work. The program is credit-bearing, so you’ll balance fieldwork with academic requirements, including submitting a reflection paper on your learning objectives and professional growth. The flexibility of this program means that the exact experience varies by student, but all internships aim to combine real-world work with mentorship from both agency staff and FIU faculty.

12. University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) — Criminal Justice Department Internships

Location: Las Vegas, NV (various local/state/federal agencies coordinated by UNLV’s CJ Dept)

Stipend: Unpaid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Summer internship (exact dates vary by placement)

Application deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Declared CRJ major or minor, junior/senior standing, minimum GPA 2.75, completion of core courses required (CRJ 104, 270 & 301)

UNLV’s Department of Criminal Justice offers internships that integrate academic learning with work experience in local, state, and federal agencies. As a student, you can earn up to six credits while working with organizations such as police departments, correctional facilities, or court systems. The program is designed to expose you to the day-to-day responsibilities of justice professionals, while also providing opportunities for mentorship and networking. The number of hours you intern will depend on how many credits you take, making the program adaptable to your schedule. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your résumé, build professional skills, and see firsthand how criminal justice concepts are applied in practice. 

13. Rutgers University – Criminal Justice Internship Course

Location: New Brunswick, NJ (placements at local criminal justice and administrative agencies coordinated by the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice)

Stipend: Typically unpaid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Summer term (exact dates vary by placement and semester calendar)

Application deadline: Not specified (students must apply through the department prior to registration)

Eligibility: Junior or senior standing, declared Criminal Justice major, minimum GPA of 2.7, completion of Intro to Criminal Justice (01:202:201), at least 3 credits in criminal justice, and prior completion of an earlier internship course (01:202:406 or 407)

Rutgers’ Internship in Criminal Justice course connects you with hands-on placements in agencies that make up the criminal justice system, including law enforcement departments, correctional institutions, and court-related organizations. The program requires around 120 field hours over the summer and supplements agency work with study sessions, symposiums, research assignments, and presentations. By combining academic credit with real-world experience, the course allows you to develop professional skills, expand your networks, and see how theories learned in class operate in practice. 

14. Federal Defender Capital Habeas Unit – Middle District of Florida Internship

Location: Tampa, FL

Stipend: Unpaid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 

Dates: 8–10 weeks in the summer

Application deadline: Rolling (applications are accepted through February)

Eligibility: 1L and 2L applicants; Preferred qualifications include a demonstrated interest in indigent criminal defense and a commitment to working in a team environment; Must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in and for the U.S.

Based in Tampa, the Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) represents individuals on Florida’s death row in federal habeas corpus proceedings, handling cases at the district, appellate, and Supreme Court levels. As a summer intern, you work full-time for 8–10 weeks, assisting with legal research and writing, reviewing records, conducting field investigations, and participating in client visits. The program also includes an in-house lecture series led by attorneys, mitigation specialists, and paralegals. Interns gain direct exposure to postconviction litigation in capital cases, with a preference given to students demonstrating a strong interest in indigent defense and teamwork.

15. DOJ Civil Rights Division – Volunteer & Paid Student Internships

Location: Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified 

Dates: 10 weeks (exact dates vary by semester)

Application deadline: Rolling (deadlines vary by semester)

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time; first-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students; and law school graduates who are enrolled in graduate law programs (e.g., L.L.M. programs) at least half-time; Must be U.S. citizens

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. hosts semester-long and summer internships for both law and undergraduate students. As a law intern in the Criminal Section, you will focus on research, drafting motions, and analyzing federal criminal civil rights cases involving official misconduct and hate crimes, while undergraduate interns support casework through tasks like discovery review, video analysis, and factual research. Across the Division, interns assist with litigation and policy development, contributing to projects that involve witness interviews, record analysis, and civil rights policy initiatives. Positions are primarily unpaid but may qualify for academic or work-study credit.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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